Our new Student Council were recently elected. We asked them about their role in the Council and a bit about themselves.
Kevin Toto
What is your role in the Student Council?
Humbly, The Student President.
What are you studying, and how long have you been at Unitec?
I am currently studying for a Masters of Applied Business; I have been at Unitec from 2011-2013, then had a break, and then returned in 2020 to finish a Bachelor in Sport.
What are you looking forward to as Student President?
I am looking forward to a year of change and enhancing relationships with Unitec Staff and students. Furthermore, I am looking forward to working with a talented student council that brings diverse skills and life experiences.
What are one critical challenge students facing that you aim to help with?
Having a student voice in all areas of Unitec and making sure that students collaborate with staff in the decision making process. I believe students should play a significant role in decision making for institutions. As time changes, so do the students and they way they learn.
Another key challenge I have seen at Unitec is the opportunity for students to represent Unitec in various sports against other institutions and universities. We can enhance the student culture and bring students together in a social setting rather than academics alone.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your time at Unitec?
I enjoy camping, hunting and diving. I enjoy showing kids, especially my own, a world that does not require a tablet or a phone. Also, showing them life skills and being able to be self-sufficient.
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food at the moment is Spicy beef hand-pulled noodles (Chinese) with cucumber salad as a side dish. I love all south-east Asian food. Especially Vietnamese cuisine
What is a famous quote you live by?
A bamboo rafting guide in Northern Thailand. I always remember Mr Bihn. Once said to me. “Never try, never know”, and it has stuck with me ever since.
What do you see as the role the Student Council plays for our ākonga?
The Student Council has always been the link or connection between Staff and students. The role is to be the voice of our tauira, react to what is needed for students, and making it happen. The Student Council is the voice in various spaces at Unitec.
What are some of the issues you are working with your team on?
We are working on student lockdown issues and seeing where we can support students in these areas, such as HAFL, food grants, basically giving them information on where they can seek support if we cannot help them.
What have you enjoyed about being Student President so far?
I have enjoyed the learning most of all. Learning to navigate in this world. I never liked politics and was never good at it. You would not believe that public speaking was one of my biggest fears. I have learned and continue to learn to speak with my voice. It is a very humbling experience. Being in this space as the Student President has given me somewhat power, but I have never noticed it because I go back to me as a person whose purpose is to serve these students that elected me into this role.
Ali Johar
What is your role in the Student Council?
Vice President
What are you studying and how long have you been at Unitec?
I am studying Bachelors of Construction (Property development and Construction Economics). Been at Unitec since 2018
What are you looking forward to as a Student Council member?
Review the age of course materials
What is one key challenge students are facing that you aim to help with?
Removing outdated course and related material
What do you enjoy doing outside of your time at Unitec?
Family time with wife and kids!
What is your favourite food?
Middle Eastern
What is a famous quote you live by?
Just do it!
Luke Orbell
What is your role in the Student Council?
The Māori Student Representative
What are you studying and how long?
I am studying a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts in the Acting course. I am in my first year at the moment (2021)
What are you looking forward to as student council member?
I am really looking forward to connecting more with my mana motuhake and mātauranga Māori through my role next year. The Māori Rep position will help me to strengthen relationships and build opportunities for Tauira Māori.
What is one key challenge students are facing that you aim to help with?
I still feel there is a lot of disconnect between students and staff. I want to try and bring some clarity to that relationship in whatever way I can. And help tauira feel more comfortable in these spaces.
What do you enjoy doing outside Unitec?
I am a creative at heart – I love to act (of course), dance, and photograph. I am also a big social butterfly because I love to hang out with my friends, explore and travel. As well as all that I enjoy cooking and watching movies and tv shows especially ANY reality tv!
What is your favourite food?
I love Indian food.
What is a famous quote you live by?
Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa! – Dont die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark. I love this whakatauki because it reminds me to always strive for excellence, be resilient and persevere, take every opportunity and never let anyone tear me down.
Sivaram Anandasivam
What is your role in the Student Council?
General Representative
What are you studying and how long have you been at Unitec?
Master of Professional Accounting, Since July 2021
What are you looking forward to as a Student Council member?
To build strong relationships between students and lecturers
What is one key challenge students are facing that you aim to help with?
Improve the facilities for students
What do you enjoy doing outside of your time at Unitec?
Travelling
What is your favorite food?
Malaysian Cuisine
What is a famous quote you live by?
I never lose. I either win or learn (Nelson Mandela)
Lupe Kautoke
What is your role in the Student Council?
I am continuing with the role of Pacific Rep 😁
What are you studying and how long have you been at Unitec?
I am in my third year of a Bachelor of Social Practice. I have been at Unitec since 2017 when I started my Level 3 & 4 Bridgepoint certificates.
What are you looking forward to as a Student Council member?
Continuing the work that I have been doing this year and meeting more awesome people.
What is one key challenge students are facing that you aim to help with?
Developing a sense of belonging for Pacific students at Unitec.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your time at Unitec?
Hanging out with family and friends. I also like doing anything that gets my creative mind going like, writing or painting.
What is your favorite food?
Some Island soulfood 😍👌🏾
What is a famous quote you live by?
A Tongan phrase, “Polepole ‘aki ho vaivai’anga ka ‘oua te ke polepole ‘aki ho malohinga”. Which means to boast of your vulnerabilities or weaknesses, instead of boasting of your strengths and achievements. I like this saying because it reminds me that I can be proud of my achievements, but I shouldn’t lose focus because there is always more work to be done.
Jihye Shin
What is your role in the Student Council?
International Representative
What are you studying and how long have you been at Unitec?
I’m in my second year at Unitec. Studying for Bachelor of Business (accountancy)
What are you looking forward to as a Student Council member?
Meeting people, Network.
What is one key challenge students are facing that you aim to help with?
International student who lives alone!
What do you enjoy doing outside of your time at Unitec?
I like filming a video for my YouTube channel.
What is your favorite food?
Any Spicy food!
What is a famous quote you live by?
The dots will connect down the road.